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I don't recognize you vs I didn't recognize you

Both phrases are correct, but the verb tenses are different. 'I don't recognize you' is present tense and used to express a current lack of recognition, while 'I didn't recognize you' is past tense and used to indicate a lack of recognition in the past.
Michele A. profile picture

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: July 09, 2024 • 84469 views

I don't recognize you

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a current lack of recognition.

This phrase is used in the present tense to indicate that at the current moment, the speaker does not recognize the person they are talking to.

Examples:

  • I don't recognize you. Have we met before?
  • I don't recognize you with your new haircut.
  • I don't recognize you in that costume.
  • I don't recognize you without your glasses.
  • I don't recognize you without your beard.
  • Jun 20, 2016 ... ... I don't recognize you", presumably they would understand this to mean that you didn't recognize their voice, as you have nothing else to ...
  • Mar 12, 2017 ... It's just sometimes I don't recognize you.” Logan ... Logan, the latest entry in the now ten (!) film X-Men movie canon from 20th Century Fox, ...
  • I don't recognize you: masks, fleeting interactions and awful memory. by Cecilia Duran October 10, 2022 January 9, 2023. Share this: Click to share on ...
  • Jan 16, 2017 ... I would use "I don't recognize your voice" instead of "I don't recognize you" in a phone conversation. emsr2d2. Moderator. Staff ...
  • Feb 24, 2017 ... I don't recognize you Psycho-Manchester on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/psycho-manchester/art/I-don-t-recognize-you-665524814Psycho ...
  • Jun 17, 2020 ... Synonym for I don't recognize you. Don't recognize - you just.. don't recognize the person (sorry, a little hard to say without using don't ...
  • Mar 15, 2024 ... I don't recognize you anymore… As you sat next to her, it became evident who you are now. You've knowingly or unknowingly aligned yourself ...
  • I don't recognize you. You are new. I remember this scenario. However, it's a strange thing to want to do, to come here. I'm curious what events will lead ...
  • Jul 13, 2023 ... If you're not in context, I don't recognize you. I once worked security at a rock concert. Someone tried to get past without a backstage ...
  • I don't recognize you. You are new. I remember this... scenario, however. It's a strange thing to want to do, to come here. I'm curious what events would ...

Alternatives:

  • I am not familiar with you.
  • I can't place you.
  • I don't know who you are.
  • I don't remember meeting you.
  • I don't recall seeing you before.

I didn't recognize you

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a lack of recognition in the past.

This phrase is used in the past tense to indicate that at a specific point in the past, the speaker did not recognize the person they are talking to.

Examples:

  • I didn't recognize you with your new hairstyle.
  • I didn't recognize you at first.
  • I didn't recognize you without your glasses.
  • I didn't recognize you in that outfit.
  • I didn't recognize you until you spoke.
  • Jun 20, 2016 ... Oh, hi! Sorry, I didn't recognize you. Yes, I think this can be used in a phone conversation for the simple fact that it is understandable.
  • Aug 9, 2023 ... But just “I didn't recognize you”—no, not at all. There can be lots of reasons behind that, not necessarily bad. You know, a radical change ...
  • Jun 27, 2024 ... "Sorry, but I didn't recognize you with your clothes on."
  • Jan 19, 2023 ... As my husband greeted her in the foyer, she loudly proclaimed, Pastor Paul, I didn't recognize you with your clothes on!
  • Jul 13, 2023 ... Like omg I'm sorry I didn't recognize you in street clothes! Whenever I'm here my body is in work mode and I go into my customer face around ...
  • Apr 4, 2024 ... I don't think the statement "I didn't recognize you" says anything about (general) you, rather about the person making the statement.
  • May 13, 2019 ... ... until 108!" God looks her up and down and says "Well I didn't recognize you!" Edit: Formatting. Upvote 10K Downvote 180 Go to comments
  • Mar 25, 2016 ... In Daily Shouts: "I didn't recognize you at first since I hadn't seen you since you were a little girl. I know the miracles of the human ...
  • Mar 30, 2016 ... Listen to I didn't recognize you by Sweely playlist on desktop and mobile.

Alternatives:

  • I didn't know who you were.
  • I failed to recognize you.
  • I mistook you for someone else.
  • I didn't realize it was you.
  • I didn't remember meeting you.

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